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Sunday, March 11, 2012

Saint Patrick's Grave in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland

My photo of a Saint Patrick statue

Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

When everyone celebrates Saint Patrick's Day around the world on March 17th with parades, leprechauns, shamrocks, corned beef and cabbage, and green beer, etc, it can be easy to forget that this day is the feast day of a real man who, for the most part, lived and died in Northern Ireland around the early part of the 5th century, and converted the then pagan Irish natives to Christianity.

My photo of a St. Patrick Statue

Church of St. Joseph

Brooklyn, New York

When Saint Patrick was around 14 years old he was kidnapped from his Scottish homeland by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. He was forced to work as a shepherd for six years, living under harsh conditions and suffering hunger and cold. Patrick turned to God for help as he wrote:

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Saint Patrick

Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

He eventually escaped through divine intervention and returned to his homeland, where he entered the priesthood and rose to the position of Bishop. Patrick had many visions of the people of Ireland begging him to return:

"I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: "The Voice of the Irish". As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us."

St. Patrick, Church of St. Joseph, Brooklyn, New York

Legend has it that Saint Patrick used a three leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people, using its three leaves to symbolize the concept of three divine persons of God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He left a particularly strong impression in Ulster, especially in the Downpatrick area, although at the time of his death he had not yet converted the whole island and was still subject to persecution. After nearly thirty years of missionary work he died on March 17, 461, and according to tradition, was buried at Downpatrick.

I was very fortunate last year to be able to visit Downpatrick, one of Ireland's most ancient and historic towns, when I was on a trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland last April of 2011. You can read about that trip, and others I've made to Ireland, if you scroll through my Ireland label here.

The Centre is an exciting interpretative exhibition which tells the fascinating story of Ireland's Patron Saint through Patrick's own words, as you can see in the photo mosaic above. A series of interactive displays allow visitors to explore how Patrick's legacy developed in early Christian times and enjoy the fabulous artwork and metalwork which was produced during this Golden Age.

The highlight of my visit to Downpatrick was in the grave yard of Down Cathedral, which is part of the Church of Ireland. It stands on the site of a Benedictine Monastery, built in 1183. Unfortunately, the church was not open on my visit, but interior photo links can be found at the bottom of this web page.

Slightly behind, and to the side of the church, on Cathedral Hill, is the graveyard.

There, on the crest of a hill overlooking the town of Downpatrick, lies the remains of Saint Patrick in a grave located under this slab of granite from the nearby Mourne Mountains.

On top of his marker were a few dried out bouquets of flowers that may have been laid there a month before, on his feast day last year.

I read the inscribed placard that says the remains of Saint Brigid and Saint Columba are also interred in this cemetery.

Tears came to my eyes as I touched the stone.

I was so touched and grateful to see the final resting place of the Saint whose name I bear, and in the country of some of my ancestors. This was one of the most memorable and spiritual sights of all I've seen in Ireland!

Wonderful post, Pat! And thanks for sharing the real story about St Patrick. My ancestors are also from Ireland and I am proud to be part Irish. Wonderful photos. Have a great week and Happy St Patricks Day.

Pat, this is such a heartfelt post. I enjoyed reading the history with your beautiful photographs. I would love to visit the town of Downpatric, maybe our next trip. We also visited Trinity College and saw the book of Kells. Did you enjoy Boxty house as much as I did? I loved the bread ice cream!Have a great week.

So very interesting, Pat, every time I read your blog I learn something. This was something that I had forgotten if I have read it before. This Patrick was a brave man, and certainly believed very strongly in what he was doing.Hugs, Cindy

THANKYOU for coming to my blog and making a comment about my soup. It really is fast and delicious and so easy to make and I do hope you will enjoy it.

I am so glad I have come to your blog. I did NOT know all of this. Wow talk about impressive. I have always loved St.Patricks day but had no idea of his life, work or sainthood. What a dedicated God fearing man. What a great influence he had on an entire nation...and the world. This was so informative and If it is OK I may mention your blog post in one of mine with a link directly to your blog so others can enjoy it as much as I have. Thankyou for sharing all of this. I am going to share it with my family. Also I am now following you. So glad you found me so that I could find you.

What a beautiful and touching post Pat. Today again I learned something from you. St Patricksday is not really known here in Holland but just the other day I read there is an Irish pub very near to our home so I must see what they are doing on that day.Have a nice week and happy St Patricksday.

You took me there with your stunning photos and I too, got a lump in my throat. Such a lovely and mystical place. How fortunate that you have had the opportunity to travel there. I have always loved your posts and I know of no other blogger whose photos blow me away every time.

I read the Pink Under the Bridges post and was just amazed at how beautifully the bricks had aged. I had never heard of the Dumbo area until the other day when I got a call from a customer asking for a caterer near the Dumbo area. When I pulled out my maps on my screen, I discovered where it was located in the city. My customer and I had a delightful conversation about that area which only increased my desire to visit New York. I asked why that area was called DUMBO and she told me it stood for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. I may have discovered that on my own many many years from now...haahaha! She was very sweet about it though!

I hope that sometime next year, my husband and I can venture up to NYC. I don't want to have any regrets about not pursuing any of my desires.

Thank you for your amazing posts Pat and for such a touching tribute to Saint Patrick.

An especially beautiful post, Pat! It really does touch the heart to see the grave of St. Patrick...I love the many leave him flowers. :o) Thanks for taking us along, and the history lesson. Happy Week ((HUGS))

It was via your Ireland trips that I first met you four years ago! I wanted to have something to link to for St. Patrick's Day that year and your trip to Ireland proved to be just the thing! I love thinking of you standing there, filled with emotion, at St. Patrick's grave. There are miracles in this world and his call to service in Ireland is one of them. Thank you, Pat, for another wonderful post on Ireland.

(John and I were just discussing St. Patrick's Day. I told him that for one day he would have to pretend that he was Irish instead of Swedish. He replied that he wouldn't have to pretend very much as he has a great-grandfather who was Irish as do I.)

Such a graceful and elegant statue of a grace filled man. Isn't it disturbing to see how his life was poured out to save others, and yet today his life is noted as a day for excess and friviolity.Hmmm...ditto the birthday of the man born in Bethlehem.

What a horrible thing for St. Patrick to have been kidnapped and sold into slavery. No wonder he decided to go into the priesthood after he escaped and returned home. And, how wonderful for you to have visited his burial place.

I cannot believe I have found another person as in love with Ireland as I am. I have been there time and time again: alone a number of times, with my husband, with my husband and a friend, and with my BFF. I would move there in a New York Minute. I even stayed in an old convent to study fiddle at the Willy Clancey Music School in Miltown Malbay. I know just how special your name is. It was my sister’s name and both of my DIL’s are Patricia. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. I did not know St. Brigid’s remains were there, too. I was educated by Dominicans so I love my saints. I would have cried at that some, too. genie

what a fabulous post and gorgeous pictures! My husband visited Ireland a few years back and fell in love the all its beauty and the people... I hope to visit within the next couple of years myself. Thanks for sharing :)

Thanks so much for sharing this. I never went to Belfast, when in Ireland. Did Donagal,Sligo, up to the top of the west coast and drove down the coast. It is gorgeous. Thanks for such great photo's and post.yvonneThink I'll drive to Belfast, Mainetomorrow, they have an Art show going on.

Thank you so much, Pat, for this wonderfully informative post. I didn't know any of this existed! When we visited Ireland, YEARS ago, we were mostly in the southern portion & we golfed instead of really touring cities. I hope to someday go back & I am putting this on my bucket list.

I'm sharing your link with all my brothers & sisters today so they may know the details of St. Patrick too.

This is such a great post you have put together Pat. I really enjoyed reading it. I'll have to bookmark it to read more slowly when I get all caught up from the distractions of the wedding which was fantastic in every way! Blessings.

I enjoyed the photos but will revisit to read all the wonderful info I know you provided here. Holy Cross Cemetery, I have grandparents and great-grands resting there. Hope you have a blessed St. Paddy's day, Pat. xo

So lush and green. Love the photos, especially of Downpatrick. Visiting your blog is always such a treat, with so much to learn and lovely photos to enjoy. I'm sad to say I don't get here as often as I'd like. Love, love, love. I wish you the most wondrous of St. Patrick's Days, Pat. I know it's a beloved holiday for you and I hope you enjoy it immensely. Cheers, my friend!

Hi Pat, Although I have heard the story of St. Patrick before I did not know that he is buried in Northern Ireland! I have not been to Northern Ireland but it is on my list. Thanks for the beautiful pictures. Linda

Beautiful, Pat! And happy feast day on the 17th!The good Sisters at St.Patrick's made sure we knew the significance of the feast day, no Leprechauns or kiss me I'm Irish buttons allowed! :)Thanks for joining in the crawl!

Hello Pat, this is an awesome post and I learned so much about St. Patrick. I have never given his life much thought. Your photos are awesome and your post inspiring. You are the best blogger with the most interesting posts. Thank you for the huge effort you put into blogging.

I saw the news about the goat walking the streets in N.Y. Have you seen him? HA!

I know the wedding plans are all consuming right now. You are in my thoughts more than you know. I pray that all is perfect for the bride and groom.

My one trip to Ireland (so far) was as if I were truly at home! Having an Irish grandmother, the trip made sense of so many phrases, attitudes, customs that I had not realized were from her homeland. Thank you for the lovely post.

What a beautiful post, Pat. Thanks for telling us about St. Patrick's life. I would love to visit Ireland on day. My great-great grandfather and grandmother were born in Belfast and I loved the photos you shared. Happy St. Patrick's Day to ya'.

I loved reading this, Pat. What a beautiful tribute to St. Patrick, one of my favorite saints, too.

Thank you so much for visting me back in February. I'm so sorry I haven't been blogging. I've had computer issues and am on Mr. Magpie's work computer tonight.Am home for a bit before I have to head back out of town. Don't know when I am going to have a chance to get a new one because I am up to my eyeballs in life stuff... Adelaide's husband had a triple bypass (unexpected), and another friend's husband is in the final days of pancreatic cancer. I have had no time to blog which I miss SO much.

I hope to be back by the end of spring. I miss you and all of my blogging buddies.

What a wonderful post. I love the story of St. Patrick, and I get a little annoyed at the antics that surround his feast day. How lucky that you were able to visit his grave. I had chills just looking at your pictures! If I am ever lucky enough to visit Ireland, this would be on my list. Thank you for sharing your very special experience.

What a wonderful St Patrick's Day post. Your pictures are beautiful and I enjoyed the history lesson. Thank you for sharing this lovely post at Potpourri Friday! Your participation is always appreciated! Happy St Patrick's Day!

What a lovely post. Very profound ideas. I had a chance to visit Ireland when I was in college because my college roommate was there and I was studying in Paris, and I didn't make it happen and I've regretted it since. Especially now that I am older and taking a big trip like that seems so faraway and hard to imagine. I would love to go to Ireland. It is one of my top places I want to visit. It looks so gorgeous in the pictures and lovely posts like yours, just make me want to visit more.

Thank you for sharing.

I dropped by after you left a lovely comment on my St. Patrick's Day Table post. My sister, Reba, and I share a blog and we are your newest followers.

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About Me

Hello and welcome!
I'm Pat, a lifelong New Yorker who has recently moved to a suburb of Denver in the beautiful state of Colorado, so that I can live close to my children and grandchildren. I look forward to learning many new things about my new "mile high" city and I will share them on my blog.
New York City will always be my second home, and I will also continue to share many posts about it.
My blog's name in Italian means a "Thousand Favorite Flowers." I chose this unusual blog name because researching and writing for my blog, and taking photogrpahs for it, is like another "memory flower" that I am collecting in my bouquet of life.
I hope you will enjoy your visit to my blog and that you will leave a comment so that I know you've been here.
Thanks!

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